Toronto Maple Leafs Taking a Run at John Tavares

As the shipwreck that is the Toronto Maple Leafs continues to float into the summer, it has begun to be obvious that this team is finally looking at "the big picture."

That picture is building through the draft.

Luke Schenn was a solid pick in this year's entry draft. At 6'3" and 216 pounds, he will be a solid block upon which this team can build a foundation.

Justin Pogge looking like he will be the real deal in net. Pogge had a brilliant season with the Marlies, going 26-10-0 with a sparkling 2.34 goals-against average and posting four shutouts. The Leafs are solid in net for years to come.

So if you look at this team from the goal out, it doesn't really look as bad as many observers believe: Pogge in net, with Schenn, Colaiacovo, White, and Anton Stralman possibly patrolling the blue line in the next four years.

But if the Buds don't make a splash on the free agent market, this team is obviously going to struggle next season—but this is a move that makes alot of sense when you think of the reward that may just go to the worst team in the NHL next season.

That reward?

None other than the next star John Tavares of the Oshawa Generals.

He is a can't-miss player!

And for those who don't know him yet—you will.

He was the youngest player ever taken in the OHL draft at 14.

At the World Juniors this past year, he was easily his team's best player, and went from playing a limited role in the first two games to being the go-to guy in the rest of the tournament.

Why? Simply because the coaching staff underestimated just how good this kid really is.

If the Leafs do end up with that first overall pick next season, they are going to have themselves the next Joe Sakic—and look how well that turned out for the Nordiques/Avalanche franchise.

Tavares may just be the golden child that will bring this team back to respectability, and with the strong cast the Leafs seem to be farming, a Stanley Cup in the next six years wouldn't be a long shot.

That is, if they land the first pick. That isn't a given now with the lottery, but I'm sure Brian Burke—oops, I mean, Cliff Fletcher—will find a way to at least get a shot at it.